Locomotive simulating vehicle for children

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;&#39;s vehicle has a body simulating a steam locomotive and its tender, with the tender forming a seat. A pair of simulated steam cylinders are provided on the front end of the body, one of each side, and the body is supported by a pair of front wheels and a pair of larger diameter rear wheels. A pair of drive rods, each on a respective side of the vehicle, have forward ends each reciprocable in a respective cylinder and rear ends each articulated eccentrically to a respective rear wheel to serve as a crank drive therefor. Handles on each drive rod are positioned to be grasped, by a child seated in the seat, to reciprocate the drive rods to propel the vehicle. The reciprocation of the drive rods effects operation of sound creating devices which produce a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation. In one embodiment of the invention, the sound is created by a series of flexible comb fingers reciprocated over a serrated surface. In another embodiment of the invention, the sound is created by pellets or the like tumbling in a closed compartment which may be either revolved or reciprocated.

United States Patent [191 Lohr et a1.

[451 Apr. 16, 1974 1 LOCOMQTTVE SIMULATING VEHICLE FOR CHILDREN [73] Assignee: Louis Marx & Co., Inc., Stamford,

Conn.

22 Filed: Apr. 6, .1973

21 App]. N6; 348,565

1,319,321 10/1919 Bennett 280/l.ll R 1,368,696 2/1921 Butterfield.. 280/1.1l R 1,941,307 12/1933 Howser 46/113 1,985,137 12/1934 Anzlovar 46/113 2,494,354 1/1950 Parke 280/1.11 R

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 24,017 1896 Great Britain 280/1.l1 R 460,115 5/1928 Germany 46/113 585,025 1/1947 Great Britain 46/113 289,406 7/1953 Switzerland ..46/113 Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blum Moscovitz Friedman & Kaplan [5 7] ABSTRACT A childs vehicle has a body simulating a steam locomotive and its tender, with the tender forming a seat.

A pair of simulated steam cylinders are provided on the front end of the body, one of each side, and the body is supported by a pair of front wheels and. a pair of larger diameter rear wheels. A pair of drive rods, each on a respective side of the vehicle, have forward ends each reciprocable in a respective cylinder and rear ends each articulated eccentrically to a respective rear wheel to serve as a crank drive therefor. Handles on each drive rod are positioned to be grasped, by a child seated in the seat, to reciprocate the drive rods to propel the vehicle. The reciprocation of the drive rods effects operation of sound creating devices which produce a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation. In one embodiment of the invention, the sound is created by a series of flexible comb fingers reciprocated over a serrated surface.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sound is created by pellets or the like tumbling in a closed compartment which may be either revolved or reciprocated.

11 Claims, 13 Drawing; Figures PATENTEDAPR 16 1914 saw 1 ur 3 $804,427

All //l LOCOMOTIVE SIMULATING VEHICLE FOR CHILDREN FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a childs vehicle which may be manually propelled and, more particularly, to such a vehicle which simulates a steam locomotive and its tender both in appearance and in sound. There are known childs vehicles which can be propelled, by a child sitting on the vehicle, by pedals with chain drives, oscillatable handles, reciprocating drive means and the like. Such child-propelled vehicles have been designed to simulate the appearance, for example, of trucks, automobiles, and the like. However, with most such vehicles, while the appearance simulates a full size vehicle there is no provision for producing a sound characteristic of operation of a full size vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objective of the invention is to provide a childs vehicle in the form of a toy-locomotive having a body simulating a steam locomotive and its tender, and having manually operable vehicle propelling means which, when operated, effect operation of a sound creating means producing a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.

To this end, the vehicle includes a body whose forward portion simulates a steam locomotive, including its boiler, stack and the like, and, whose rear portion simulates a locomotive tender of the type forming an integral unit with the locomotive. The body is supported on relatively small diameter forward wheels and relatively large diameter rear wheels, and the locomotive portion of the body includes a pair of simulated cylinders, one on each side of the body. There are a pair of drive rods, again one on each side of the body, which have forward ends reciprocable in the cylinders and rear ends articulated eccentrically to the associated rear wheels to serve as crank drives therefor. Intermediate their ends, these drive rods have handles which can be grasped by a child seated in a seat on the fender portion of the body so that, by reciprocating the drive rods, the vehicle can be propelled.

In one embodiment of the invention, opposite interior side walls of the cylinders are serrated, with the serrations extending vertically, and the forward ends of the drive rods have secured thereto, within the cylinders, combs having flexible fingers engageable with the serrations responsive toreciprocation of the drive rods. This engagement produces a choo-choo noise simulating the sound of a locomotive in operation.

In another embodiment of the invention, each rear wheel has projecting axially inwardly therefrom a number of flexible comb fingers which, when the wheel is rotated, are drawn over serrations on a side surface of the vehicle body to produce the locomotive simulating noise. I

In a third embodiment of the invention, a comb, having flexible fingers, is secured to a side wall of the body the like, is mounted eccentrically within each wheel and, responsive to rotation of the wheel, the balls are tumbled to produce again the sound simulating that of a steam locomotive in operation. As an alternative, the balls may be mounted in compartments which are secured to the drive rods, as, for example, in the form of handles on the drive rods, and are tumbled back and fourth responsive to reciprocation of the drive rods.

An object of the invention is to provide a childs vehicle simulating a steam locomotive.

Another object is to provide such a childs vehicle including means for simulating realistically the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a childs vehicle having drive rods connected, in crank drive relation, to its rear wheels, with the drive rods being reciprocable by a child seated in the vehicle and having associated therewith sound creating means which, responsive to reciprocation of the drive rods, produces a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the inven tion will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a thorough understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy locomotive embodying the invention and-having the appearance of a steam switching locomotive;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partly-in section, of the toy locomotive shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of the toy locomotive shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a steam cylinder of the toy locomotive, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through another form of steam cylinder illustrating a second embodiment of a sound creating device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5a is a sectional view taken on the line 5a-5a of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8', are side elevation views, partly in section, of other forms of sound creating devices embodying the invention;

FIGS. 6a, 7a and 8a are transverse sectional views taken on the correspondingly numbered lines of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, respectively; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of still another sound creating device embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS .comotive including a boiler 11, a smoke stack 12, a

whistle 13, a pilot or cow catcher l4 and steam dome 16. The rear portion of body simulates a tender 17 which is unitary with the locomotive, as is common in switching type locomotives, and is formed with a seat 18 for a child operating the vehicle 10. The rear portion of body 15 is supported by a pair of rear wheels 20 having hubs 21 rotatably mounted on an axle or axles 22 and connected to a rim 23 by radial spokes 24. Preferably, the wheels 20 are cup-shaped with open inner sides and closed outer sides. The toy locomotive 10 has a pair of simulated drive rods 25, on on each side, each having a front end 26 extending through an aperture in a rear wall of a respective cylinder 35, forming part of the locomotive, and a rear portion 27 which, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, is bent outwardly and then parallel to the associated wheel 20, and has a bent end 28 engaged in a rod bearing 33 provided eccentrically and the associated wheel 20. Drive rods which are preferably metal, extend through bores 31 in two-piece handles secured immovably to drive rods 25 at the juncture of the front and rear portions 26 and 27 thereof. The handles 30 are so located that they can be easily grasped by a child sitting in the seat 18 to reciprocate the drive rods to rotate the wheels 20. Reciprocation of drive rods 25 not only propels the vehicle by rotating the rear wheels 20 but also effects reciprocation of the front parts 26 of drive rods 23 longitudinally of the associated cylinders 35. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4 as well as in that shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a, this reciprocation is used to produce or create a sound simulating that of a steam locomotive in operation. The front end of the body is supported on relatively small diameter front wheels 34 which may or may not be.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the sound creating device includes vertically extending serrations or roughened portions 37 on the inner surfaces of side walls 36 of each cylinder 35. These serrations or roughened portions on the inner surfaces of the side walls are cooperable with a molded plastic comb 40 having a back bone or central member 41 terminating in an ap-' ertured head 42 which is fitted over the inner end of the front portion 26 of each side rod 25 and swaged or otherwise secured thereto.

Comb fingers or teeth 43 extend laterally from the back bone or central member 41 and are engaged with the serrations or the like 37. While the member 40 has been called a comb," it could equally well be called a double sided brush. As drive rods 25 are reciprocated, fingers 43 are drawn over the serrations'37 and, in combination with the sound or resonance qualities of the cylinders 35, produce a sound very similar to that of a steam locomotive in operation. While the drive rods 25 are illustrated as secured to the associated wheels 20 in-phase with each other, they could be secured thereto out of phase. such as at diametrically opposite points. so that as one drive rod is being moved forwardly the other drive rod is being moved rearwardly. The reciprocating motion of the drive rods is not exactly linear. as best illustrated in FIG. 2, so that the combs 40 and the front portions 26 of the drive rods 25 have an angular motion, also as best shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5 and 5a illustrate an alternative form of the invention in which the front portions of drive rods 26 are not rigidly connected to the sound creating comb. In this embodiment of the invention, each cylinder 35 is formed with an offset portion 38, across which extends a pivot 47 on which there is pivotally mounted a comb 45 including a back bone or center portion 46 and fingers 48, the portions 46 and 48 constituting a molded piece of plastic. A spring 44 secured at one end to a rear portion of each cylinder 35' and at its opposite end to back bone or center portion 46 of comb 45, slightly above the pivot 47, biases comb 45 to remain in abutment with the associated drive rod 25. The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a is essentially the same as the operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, namely, the fingers 48 are drawn over the serrations 37 and the side walls 36 of the cylinders 35 to create a sound realistically simulating the noise of a steam locomotive in operation.

FIGS. 1 through 5a illustrate embodiments of the invention in which the sound creation is effected by combs operating over serrations or roughened surfaces in. the cylinders 35 or 35'. However, the same effect may be created by combs rotatable with the wheels 20, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6a. Referring to these figures, the external surface of each side wall of body 15 of the toy locomotive 10 is provided with a preferably rectangular area 50 which has vertical serrations, or is roughened, or which may be constituted by a rectangular pierce of sandpaper. The sound is created by the areas 50 in cooperation with comb or brush fingers 51 which are mounted on the inner surface of the side wall 52 of each wheel 20 as by being cemented thereto or inserted into sockets or the like thereon. Preferably, the fingers 51 are arranged in radially extending rows in the areas between adjacent radial spokes 24. As each wheel 20 is rotated, the fingers 51 rasp over the roughened area or serration member 50 creating a sound realistically simulating the noise of a steam locomotive in operation.

FIGS. 7 and 7a illustrate a further embodiment in which the steam locomotive simulating sound is created by a comb in association with a rear wheel. In this embodiment of the invention, the hub 23' of each wheel 20 has formed, on the inner surface thereof, transversely extending ribs or serrations 54 which are cooperable with the fingers 56 of a molded plastic comb generally indicated at 55. Comb includes a body 57 molded integral with fingers 56, body 57 being secured to the side wall of vehicle body 15 by bolts, pins, rivets or the like as indicated at 57. The sound is created in the same manner as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 6a, realistically simulating the noise of a steam locomotive in operation, as fingers 56 are drawn over the serrations or roughened areas 54 on the inner surfaces of rims 23' of wheels 20 as the latter are rotated by drive rods 25.

FIGS. 8 and 8a illustrate an alternative sound creating device which produces a sound realistically simulating the noise of a steam locomotive in operation, but which does not involve plastic fingers being drawn over serrations or roughened surfaces. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8a, a wheel 20" formed integrally with a rib 23", spokes 24' and a side wall 52, has also formed integrally therewith a radially inner chordal partition 61 and a radially outer chordal partition 62, the partitions 61 and 62 extending parallel to a pair of diametrically aligned spokes 24. Partitions 61 and 62 are formed with spaced lips 63, which extend toward each other to define a rectangular area receiving a rectangular box which is completely closed. Each box 60 has at least a partial filling of pellets, ball bearings, or other small pieces of material as indicated at 65. When wheels are rotated by reciprocation of drive rods 25, pellets 65 are tumbled in their boxes 60 and produce a sound realistically simulating the noise of a steam locomotive in operation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of a sound producing device employing tumbling balls, pellets, filings, or the like 65. In this embodiment of the invention, the drive rod handles 30 are replaced by two-part drive rod handles 70 having socket portions 71 embracing drive rods with the two parts being secured to gether by fasteners, such as screws or bolts 72. Handle 70 includes a tubular portion 73 which is elliptical in elevation, and which is formed with two pairs of spaced partitions 74., each pair defining a compartment 75 receiving the pellets or the like 65. As drive rods 25 are reciprocated by grasping handle 70, the pellets or balls 65 in each of the compartments 75 tumble back and forth producing a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in action.

lt should be noted that the toy locomotive may be steered by holding one drive rod and its rear wheel stationary while reciprocating the other drive rod to rotate its rearwheel.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

it is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is: i

1. A childs vehicle comprising, in combination, a body simulating a steam locomotive and its unitary tender, with the tender simulating body portion forming a seat; a pair of simulated steam cylinders on the front end of said body, with one cylinder on each side; a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels supporting said body; a pair of drive rods, each ofa respective side of the vehicle, having forward ends each reciprocable in a respective cylinder and having rear ends each articulated eccentrically to a respective rear wheel to serve as a crank drive therefor; and respective handles on each drive rod positioned to be grasped, by a child seated in said seat. to reciprocate said drive rods to propel the vehicle.

2. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, including at least one sound creating means operatively associated with said drive rods and operable, responsive to reciprocation of said drive rods,.to produce a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.

3. A childs vehicle. as claimed in claim 2, in which each sound creating means comprises second means having a roughened surface and a plastic composition comb having flexible fingers engaged with the roughened surface; said second means and said comb being relatively movable responsive to reciprocation of said drive rods to draw said flexible fingers over said roughened surface to produce said sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.

4. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, in which each second means comprises roughened surfaces on the inner surfaces of the side walls of a respective one of said cylinders; each comb being moved, relative to the associated roughened surfaces, by the forward end of the associated drive rod.

5. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, wherein each comb is secured fixedly to the forward end of the associated drive rod.

6. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, wherein each comb is pivotally mounted for oscillation about an axis extending transversely of the associated cylinder; and spring means biasing each comb into engagement with the forward end of the associated drive rod.

7. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, in which each second means comprises a roughened surface on a side wall of said body adjacent a respective rear wheel; each comb being mounted] on said respective rear wheel for rotation therewith, with said fingers engaging said roughened surface on the associated body side wall.

8. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, in which each second means comprises serrations on the inner surface of the rim of an associated rear wheel and extending peraxially of the rear wheel; each comb being mounted on said body adjacent a respective rear wheel and projecting into the interior of the associated rear wheel, with said fingers extending radially of the associated rear wheel to engage said serrations responsive to rotation of the associated rear wheel by the respective drive rod.

9. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 2, in which each sound creating means comprises sound means forming a closed compartment, and a partial filling of pellets in the closed compartment; said pellets being tumbled in each compartment responsive to reciprocation of said drive rods to produce said sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.

10. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 9, in which each compartment comprises a substantially rectangular closed box mounted eccentrically of a rear wheel, whereby the associated pellets are tumbled within the box responsive to rotation of the rear wheel by the respective drive rod.

11. A childs vehicle, as claimed in claim 9, in which each compartment is formed in a respective one of said handles and extending generally longitudinally of the associated drive rod, whereby the pellets inv the compartment are tumbled back and forth responsive to reciprocation of the associated drive rod. 

1. A child''s vehicle comprising, in combination, a body simulating a steam locomotive and its unitary tender, with the tender simulating body portion forming a seat; a pair of simulated steam cylinders on the front end of said body, with one cylinder on each side; a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels supporting said body; a pair of drive rods, each of a respective side of the vehicle, having forward ends each reciprocable in a respective cylinder and having rear ends each articulated eccentrically to a respective rear wheel to serve as a crank drive therefor; and respective handles on each drive rod positioned to be grasped, by a child seated in said seat, to reciprocate said drive rods to propel the vehicle.
 2. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, including at least one sound creating means operatively associated with said drive rods and operable, responsive to reciprocation of said drive rods, to produce a sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.
 3. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 2, in which each sound creating means comprises second means having a roughened surface and a plastic composition comb having flexible fingers engaged with the roughened surface; said second means and said comb being relatively movable responsive to reciprocation of said drive rods to draw said flexible fingers over said roughened surface to produce said sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.
 4. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, in which each second means comprises roughened surfaces on the inner surfaces of the side walls of a respective one of said cylinders; each comb being moved, relative to the associated roughened surfaces, by the forward end of the associated drive rod.
 5. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, wherein each comb is secured fixedly to the forward end of the associated drive rod.
 6. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, wherein each comb is pivotally mounted for oscillation about an axis extending transversely of the associated cylinder; and spring means biasing each comb into engagement with the forward end of the associated drive rod.
 7. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 3, in which each second means comprises a roughened surface on a side wall of said body adjacent a respective rear wheel; each comb being mounted on said respective rear wheel for rotation therewith, with said fingers engaging said roughened surface on the associated body side wall.
 8. A child''s vehicle, aS claimed in claim 3, in which each second means comprises serrations on the inner surface of the rim of an associated rear wheel and extending peraxially of the rear wheel; each comb being mounted on said body adjacent a respective rear wheel and projecting into the interior of the associated rear wheel, with said fingers extending radially of the associated rear wheel to engage said serrations responsive to rotation of the associated rear wheel by the respective drive rod.
 9. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 2, in which each sound creating means comprises sound means forming a closed compartment, and a partial filling of pellets in the closed compartment; said pellets being tumbled in each compartment responsive to reciprocation of said drive rods to produce said sound realistically simulating the sound of a steam locomotive in operation.
 10. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 9, in which each compartment comprises a substantially rectangular closed box mounted eccentrically of a rear wheel, whereby the associated pellets are tumbled within the box responsive to rotation of the rear wheel by the respective drive rod.
 11. A child''s vehicle, as claimed in claim 9, in which each compartment is formed in a respective one of said handles and extending generally longitudinally of the associated drive rod, whereby the pellets in the compartment are tumbled back and forth responsive to reciprocation of the associated drive rod. 